A new Burger King Advertisement currently shown in Spain depicts Hindu Goddess Lakshmi sitting of a Burger and the caption reads – 'A Snack that is Sacred.' The advertisement is a rip off of the popular image of Goddess Lakshmi sitting on a lotus. Goddess Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and is the consort of Lord Vishnu. She is one of the most popular deities in Hindu religion and is the patron deity of traders.

The advertisement is no doubt inappropriate and insulting. It hurts the religious sentiments of Hindus. It shows Goddess Lakshmi sitting on meat. It must be remembered that cow is worshipped in Hinduism and majority of Hindus are vegetarians.

Burger King is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants. Burger King Ads have run into trouble on several previous occasions mainly related to cultural issues.

What is shocking is the audacity of Burger King to insult one of the most popular deities in the oldest religion in the world. Several corporates and brands are taking Hindus for granted and there is a general belief that you can get away by insulting and mocking Hindus, Hinduism and the Hindu Gods.

One of the popular religions in the world has put an end to all such advertisements and cartoons with a violent protest. Nowadays we don't get to hear or see paintings or cartoons based on the prophets of that religion.

Several Hindu Organizations have started campaign against the advertisement.

"An advertisement knowingly and intentionally using sacred symbols, especially those of another religious tradition for purely commercial purposes can be offensive in and of itself," said Suhag Shukla, managing director and legal counsel for the Hindu American Foundation.

"Compounding this insult is the use of the sacred image for the sale of a meat product -Burger King's judgment in associating a burger with a Hindu goddess is absolutely baffling," Shukla said in a statement.

It seems some people mistake the language of peace and tolerance for cowardliness. Brands like Burger King only understand the language of violence.

"We are apologizing because it wasn't our intent to offend anyone," Denise T Wilson, spokesman of Burger King

"Burger King Corporation (BKC) values and respects all of its guests as well as the communities we serve. This in-store advertisement was running to support only local promotion for three restaurants in Spain and was not intended to offend anyone," Wilson said.

"Out of respect for the Hindu community, the limited-time advertisement has been removed from the restaurants," Wilson said